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One year after launching a campaign to urge Congress and the president to close the nation’s innovation deficit, a group of prominent university, scientific and business organizations on July 31 renewed their call for increased federal investments in research to build a strong long-term economy, improve medical treatments and strengthen national security.

The erosion of federal funding for college student aid and research is a serious problem that has implications for the future of the nation, according to a letter sent to President Barack Obama and members of the 113th Congress. The letter, sponsored by the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), and signed by Penn State President Rodney Erickson and 164 other U.S. university presidents and chancellors representing all 50 states, urges government leaders to "reject unsound budget cuts and recommit to strong and sustained investments in research and education."

Penn State President Rodney Erickson is among more than 150 Association of American Universities or Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities member presidents who signed a letter to President Obama and Congressional leaders urging them to avoid budget sequestration. If Congress does not act, mandatory, across-the-board spending cuts, affecting scientific research and financial aid to students, would be enacted by January 2013. The letter asks U.S. leaders to prevent these cuts and reach "a major, balanced long-term deficit-reduction agreement that will reduce budget deficits, rein in the nation's debt, and create economic and job growth." The letter cited bipartisan support for maintaining investments in research and education, while reducing deficits and controlling the national debt.

Penn State has joined with 34 other leading research universities to launch Futurity, a Web site offering news about the latest advances in science, engineering, health, the environment and more. All participating institutions are members of the American Association of Universities. Penn State's submissions to Futurity will consist of news stories and related materials produced by University Relations and other Penn State research communicators.

Even lunchtimes are packed with information for Penn State's Board of Trustees meeting this week in Washington, D.C. On Thursday, the trustees will have lunch at the National Press Club, where author and journalist Ron Suskind will be speaking. On Friday, they will hear from Robert Berdahl, president of the Association of American Universities (AAU). Berdahl will discuss "Current Legislative Issues Affecting Research Universities" during his noon presentation to the board.